Global Business for Health MPhil/PhD
The UCL Global Business School for Health postgraduate research programme is varied and interdisciplinary.
UK #2 for Research Power
Research Excellence Framework 2021London #1 for Research Power
Research Excellence Framework 2021Start date
October 2025
February 2026
May 2026
Duration
3 years full-time or 5 years part-time
Location
London, Stratford (UCL East)
Application deadline
Rolling admissions
Lasting three years when taken full-time, or five years if part-time, the MPhil/PhD programme is relevant to several disciplines given the cross-disciplinary academic staff and research within UCL Global Business School for Health. Our programme aims to provide cutting-edge, applied research and training for exceptional students so that they may successfully pursue careers in research, healthcare management, health services, consultancy and policy within several types of organisations focused on driving forward better health outcomes. MPhil/PhD research in UCL GBSH is varied and may have an international dimension, hospital or social care focus, fieldwork component, applied or theoretical with the use of data from existing studies working with our world-class academics.
All MPhil/PhD admissions decisions are made by the Departmental Graduate Tutor for Research Students and your potential primary and secondary supervisors. Please note that a key component in the admission decision is the research proposal submitted with the application form. Since the MPhil/PhD is a research-only degree, we expect candidates to have a reasonably well-defined research proposal at the time of the application. We strongly encourage candidates to contact the Departmental Graduate Tutor and potential supervisors in advance of submission to discuss their proposal.
You must apply via the UCL online application.
Please select the Global Business School for Health as your home department in the application. In order to be considered as a prospective PhD candidate, and in addition to the documentation formally required by UCL, you will need to submit the following:
1. A research proposal
This should be uploaded as a separate attachment to your application. The proposal is an outline of the research you intend to carry out for your PhD. It should be no more than three pages long (excluding a bibliography).
2. The name of at least ONE potential supervisor who you would like to review your application
Choosing to undertake graduate research degree is a big decision and it is extremely important that you identify a research project that really excites you. Identifying a suitable supervisor at GBSH that conducts research in your area of interest is critical as this relationship provides you with invaluable support and guidance. The best way to do this is to check our Research Degree Supervisors and read as much as you can from their research to ensure they are suitable for you, including sources of information such as their Google Scholar profiles and personal webpages. Make contact with the specific academic you are interested in working with to explore research opportunities in more depth. Send them an tailored email with the following information:
- Introduce yourself, including information such as funding status (secured funding, self-funded, will apply for a scholarship, applying for a specific advertised position etc.) and student status (UK or overseas);
- Outline your research interests and attach a short initial draft of your research idea;
- Explain that you wish to apply to the PhD Programme with their supervision and research group in particular.
This process will help you define your interests and aspirations, strengthen your application (since potential supervisors often assist with writing the research proposal) and ensure you identify the most suitable supervisor for your needs. Finally, list their name in the 'Supervision' section of your application.
3. A Personal Statement
Please make sure you complete the personal statement section on the application. Please include a brief statement on how your research fits within the department, and a rationale for why GBSH is the best home for your project.
4. Academic transcripts for each of your degree level qualifications
Transcripts should outline both the grades you achieved in individual modules and the overall grade you obtained in your degree programme, degree certificates are not sufficient. Transcripts must be translated into English.
Research Degree Supervisors
The UCL Global Business School for Health faculty are world leading industry experts and healthcare management innovators.